Holiday rush home expected Thursday

The Georgia Department of Transportation is reporting extreme traffic congestion during Thursday afternoon’s commute as metro Atlanta residents rush home from work to begin their July 4th holiday celebrations early.

“It’s awful,” DOT spokesman Paul Marshall said. “This is pretty unique because it’s the Thursday before a major holiday.”

DOT’s online real-time traffic map about 5 p.m. Thursday showed red — indicating severe congestion — on what Marshall called “the usual suspects.”

Red could be seen on the top-side Perimeter, I-75 in Cobb County, “Spaghetti Junction” in DeKalb County, Georgia 400, the stretch of road between the Downtown connector and the Brookwood connector, both and I-75 South just below I-675.

“I’d say stay where you are at least for another hour or so,” Marshall said just after 5 p.m. Thursday.

Saturday traffic could also be heavy with numerous holiday events scheduled around town, including the Peachtree Road Race. Tenth Street from Charles Allen Drive to Monroe Drive was closed to traffic Thursday morning and will reopen by 3 p.m. Saturday, according to the Atlanta Track Club.

Traffic on Friday afternoon began around 2:30 p.m., Marshall said.

“Traditionally the day before is heavy but a lot of state and federal agencies observe the holiday [on Friday] when it falls on the weekend like it does this year,” Marshall said. “So we don’t expect Friday to be bad.”

DOT construction projects have been suspended on all roadways around town from noon Thursday until 5 a.m. Monday to help relieve the congestion. However, permanent lane closures will remain in place on I-85 in Meriwether and Coweta counties, I-75 in South Georgia and I-95 on the coast.

Traffic conditions Thursday morning were better than normal with most areas showing a speed-limit ride as of 8 a.m, Marshall said.

The DOT encourages travelers to check ahead on road conditions by calling 511 from any phone or checking real-time maps online at www.georgia-navigator.com. Information is also available at www.511ga.org and a toll-free number for callers from outside the state, 1-877-MYGA511 (1-877-694-2511).